Employment law matters to your business. Getting the law right is not an option, but it is also not always easy. Fortunately, AWB is offering a very easy way to get the latest news and best practices on how to comply with increasingly complex employment law.

AWB is hosting a six-month webinar series that covers common employment law topics. We have partnered with some of the state's top employment law experts to give you, the employer and human resource professional, the information you need in 2018 and beyond.

Each webinar will be 60-90 minutes and include ample time for questions. For a limited time, an early-bird package is available that includes all six webinars, a binder for topic materials and wrap-up thumb drive that will include all webinar materials, extra information and sample documents. In addition, participants will receive an annual update of information for two years and a discount code for referrals to the next series.

For details and a full webinar schedule -- and to reserve your spot and early-bird package deal -- visit AWB's website.

For questions or more information please contact Kelli Schueler, AWB member relations and events coordinator, at KelliS@awb.org or 360.943.1600.

The Puget Sound region's economy is booming. But across the state, the post-recession economic recovery has been uneven. Much of rural Washington is still struggling, with higher rates of unemployment and comparatively modest economic gains.

Gov. Inslee is urging legislators to pass a $20 per ton carbon tax during the current legislative session. We urge you to call your local legislators and tell them to vote "no" on carbon tax legislation.

If passed, money raised from a carbon tax reportedly would fund schools; provide incentives for renewable energy, such as solar energy; be applied to research for new clean technologies; manage storm water runoff; help prevent forest fires; and more.

While all of these issues are worthwhile, the effects of a carbon tax on citizens and businesses far outweighs the benefits, which is why we don't support the tax.

The governor's staff indicated a carbon tax likely will increase power rates 4 percent to 5 percent for electricity, 9 percent to 11 percent for natural gas and 6 percent to 9 percent for gasoline.

If a carbon tax law is passed, utilities such as the Cowlitz PUD, will be negatively impacted and we believe the power rate increases would be pushed much higher than the governor's staff estimates. Citizens and businesses can't afford those types of increases...